Class Discussion,
Main Room
Date 2/26/98
Start log: Thursday, February 26, 1998
3:29:13 pm Virtual Park Hall time --
ShannonMc says, "What?"
MaggieCa says, "my boyfriend sang that at Allen's not too long ago"
FrankBl says, "who"
ShannonMc says, "Ok????"
KurtDa throws a tack sticking 3 of the notecards to the wall
GeraldLa says, "whos your boyfriend"
MaggieCa says, "Patrick Connell, He sang with Mark Wiggins"
FrankBl says, "Maggie who is your boyfriend"
GeraldLa says, "i think mark is playing tonight"
FrankBl says, "is he in a fraternity"
MaggieCa says, "he is "
MaggieCa says, "I think he starts at 10:30"
MaggieCa says, "He is a Theta Chi""
Mr.Cole says, "So, everyone should have their papers back now. I mailed the last ones out this morning."
WendyFr says, "cool"
FrankBl says, "ok"
ShannonMc says, "I got mine"
FrankBl says, "how are you doing today Wendy"
Mr.Cole says, "As I said before, overall I am pleased to see many people making progress. "
KurtDa says, "I wish I hadn't gotten mine"
MaggieCa says, "can I send mine back to you"
WendyFr says, "how did you do Shannon?"
KurtDa says, "I had no major editing errors and still didn't do that good."
ShannonMc says, "How did you do Wendy?"
Mr.Cole says, "Even if you have not done especially well yet, there is still plenty of time to pull grades up. The first three papers only account for 30% of the grade."
WendyFr says, "don't know yet, I checked last night but did not get mine yet"
ShannonMc says, "cool"
KurtDa says, "how else is it broken down? There are only two papers left."
MaggieCa says, "the exam counts a lot doesn't it?"
FrankBl says, "what is the exam like"
GeraldLa says, "mr.cole, why don't we cancel class today since its so nice outside, and its going to start raining tomorrow?"
Mr.Cole says, "Paper four is 15%, Paper 5 (the revision project) is 10%. The final exam is a whopping 30%. "
MaggieCa says, "wow"
JulieOw says, "SCARY"
ScottFr say, "what does the final consist of?"
JenniferCa says, "ouch"
KurtDa says, "that's only 85%"
FrankBl says, "what is the final exam like"
Mr.Cole says, "So if you get your act together at the end of the quarter you can make amazing progress grade-wise."
MaggieCa says, "class participation counts too"
KurtDa says, "Cool, I talk to much!"
NickSm gives an amen to that
ShannonMc says, "I think we all do at times!"
KurtDa says, "shutup nick"
KurtDa says, "where is Jason and Andy"
KurtDa says, "?"
MaggieCa says, "about what Jerry said earlier...."
MaggieCa says, "???"
JenniferCa says, "really...its beaytiful outside"
KurtDa says, "and so I can work on my paper"
FrankBl says, "what is the final exam like"
ScottFr say, "final, is it another paper?"
GeraldLa says, "is mr. cole still here"
GeraldLa says, "?"
ShannonMc has disconnected.
KurtDa says, "I guess not"
FrankBl says, "thanks Scott"
ScottFr say, "Where'd he go, Where'd who go"
FrankBl says, "do we do it at home or in a class room"
JoeSa hasn't disconnected
NickSm says, "he's here"
KurtDa says, "5 minute rule is in effect again"
ScottFr say, "Frank, thats a guess"
Mr.Cole says, "There were some problems with using sources that I saw enough to be concerned about. So I made some slides..."
MaggieCa says, "what"
FrankBl says, "does anybody know "
NickSm says, "woohoo, slides!"
FrankBl says, "what is the final exam like"
KurtDa hasn't disconnected either
ScottFr say, "Mr. Cole you seem withdrawn"
MaggieCa says, "no answer Frank"
Mr.Cole says, "The final will be a single essay, based on questions developed by Freshman English as a whole."
FrankBl says, "I guess nobody likes that question"
FrankBl says, "do we do it at home or in a class room\"
ScottFr say, "one essay worth 30%, whoa!"
JoeSa says, "yikes"
Mr.Cole says, "You write it in class, but we get a computer lab to work in."
KurtDa says, "what is the length requirment"
KurtDa says, "?"
NickSm says, "do we have any general idea about the topic?"
FrankBl says, "how long do we get to write it"
JulieOw says, "yeah we get to see each other"
Mr.Cole says, "You write for three hours. It's a bit shorter than your regular papers."
KurtDa worries about the final
ScottFr say, "lets ask all of this later"
FrankBl does to
NickSm says, "when is our final?"
WendyFr cries.
JoeSa says, "why dont we all just pile Q's on Mr. Cole at once"
KurtDa thinks "three hours?..this sucks...."
NickSm gives Wendy a tissue
MaggieCa says, "let's see those slides"
FrankBl says, "I am depressed now"
Mr.Cole says, "Obviously, I can't hold you to the same standards that I would for papers you had a week to write."
NickSm then gets one for himself
KurtDa says, "thank god"
GeraldLa says, "thats what i like to hear"
KurtDa asks Nick for a tissue too
Mr.Cole says, "Actually, people tend to do well on the final. but I will talk more about that when the time comes."
NickSm just hits him instead
Mr.Cole says, "Slide time!"
JulieOw says, "yippee"
Mr.Cole shows slide #1.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
MORE on QUOTATIONS & SOURCES
--Fairness
--Opposing Sources
--Introductions
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ScottFr say, "could we install grammatek on the computer we use"
KurtDa Kicks Nick in the head knocking him out
Mr.Cole shows slide #2.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fairness
One thing I noticed in several papers over the last few weeks
is a particular form of misrepresentation of quoted sources.
Besides precisely representing the original language of a quoted
source, a writer must, out of fairness, accurately convey
the spirit of the original. Even if you don't change a word, if
you take a quotation out of context so that its apparent meaning
changes, you have misrepresented the source and been unfair.
The particular situation I saw was people quoting Lewis Thomas
summarizing his opponents' position as if he were taking that
position himself. Another possible version of this case would be
representing ironic or humorous statements as serious ones (or
vice versa).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KurtDa doesn't feel like crying anymore
NickSm is not getting into this fight today
JulieOw thumps kurt in the ear for being mean
KurtDa thinks that is probably better for Nick
Mr.Cole shows slide #3.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For example, in "It's Time to Legalize Marijuana," Peter Gorman
states: "As recently as April 19, The Lassen County (Calif.)
Times printed a story stating that marijuana smoking produces brain
damage, nervous system damage, lung cancer, immune system
dysfunction, male impotence, damages women's eggs and causes birth
defects. Additionally, the paper reported that smoking marijuana
produces breasts in male smokers and that female marijuana smokers
grow hair on their chest, face and arms."
Without any context, it could appear that Gorman is citing the
newspaper as support for a claim about the harmful effects of
marijuana. But to do so would be to seriously misrepresent Gorman,
who, on the contrary, is arguing for the safety of marijuana. His
very next sentence begins, "None of the above is true...."
You must be as careful to accurately represent the spirit, as well
as the letter, of your sources.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The housekeeper arrives to cart ShannonMc off to bed.
Mr.Cole says, "Does everyone follow this?"
KurtDa says, "i don't know any male pot smokers with breasts....."
ShannonMc has arrived.
JenniferCa says, "yup"
MaggieCa says, "yes sir"
WendyFr says, "yes sir"
KurtDa says, "nevermind"
JulieOw says, "yes sir"
FrankBl says, "got you"
KurtDa says, "yes sirree"
ScottFr say, "Shannon we are looking at slides"
WendyFr says, "just don't go too fast"
ShannonMc says, "thanks Scott"
ScottFr say, "no problem"
FrankBl says, "Shannon I copy the slides if you want me to send them to you"
Mr.Cole says, "That's the point. These are spurious facts that Gorman is citing to show the kind of misinformation that exists about pot. But if you aren't careful, you could wind up having Gorman endorsing these facts. "
ShannonMc says, "Sure thing"
KurtDa says, "understood"
WendyFr says, "got ya"
Mr.Cole shows slide #4.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
II. Opposing Sources
This is not to say that you can only use sources you agree with.
In fact, it can often be helpful to quote your opponents to focus
on a particular line of argument you choose to disagree with (as
Gorman is doing, in essence, with his citing of the newspaper
report, which he will try to debunk).
This use of opposing sources actually helps demonstrate fairness.
By quoting your opponents directly, you let them speak for
themselves, rather than through a hostile interpreter. Of course,
you should be sure that you can offer a good counter-argument
before you start giving air-time to your opponents. Being fair
does not mean giving away the store.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FrankBl says, "I will email you after class"
ShannonMc says, "thanks"
NickSm says, "bathroom break!"
KurtDa loser
WendyFr laughs.
ScottFr whines b/c of his killer migrane (doesn't know how to spell it)
KurtDa says, "I hate when you hit the wrong key"
ShannonMc says, "what? :)"
Mr.Cole says, "This is something I would actually like to see more of from you all. It really helps focus your argument if you are rfuting something specific rather than "Some people think that pot is unhealthy.""
FrankBl says, "it is close enough Scott"
KurtDa says, "it is so hot in this computer lab"
MaggieCa says, ""I have a horrible headache for two days"
Mr.Cole shows slide #5.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You can even use a generally opposing source to support one of
your points, if it is done fairly. Thus, in a paper opposing
legalization, you could write, "Even a supporter of marijuana
legalization like Peter Gorman admits there are risks. Gorman
states, 'Some people have severe, though short-term, anxiety
reactions to it.'"
In that example, you do not misrepresent Gorman's overall position,
in fact you freely admit that he does not agree with you. But you
can take his concession on a specific point and try to turn it to
your advantage by showing that it is not as trivial a concern as
he perhaps represents it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
KurtDa says, "I think you guys caught a computer virus"
ScottFr say, "I have had one since august"
JenniferCa says, "i feel dizzy from my contacts"
Mr.Cole says, "Do you see the difference between this example and the previous Gorman example?"
ShannonMc says, "yes sir"
ScottFr say, "aye aye"
WendyFr says, "yes sir"
KurtDa says, "yeah, August right before school started in kindergarden"
GeraldLa says, "yeah"
JoeSa says, "yes sir"
KurtDa says, "yes"
MaggieCa says, "yes sir"
ShannonMc laughs at Kurt's comment
ScottFr say, "nahh, not that, I got hit in the head"
Mr.Cole says, "OK, last slide."
Mr.Cole shows slide #6.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
III. Introductions
One last point on using quotations and sources. It is a good
general rule to always introduce a new source. By that I mean,
name the source and, if possible, give some indication of the
source's relevence to the topic at hand. Saying "Former
U.S. Drug Czar William Bennett says, '....'" gives the reader
more information than simply "'....' (Bennett 123)." It suggests
why the quotation should be considered authoritative.
You don't have to do this _every_ time you quote a source, but
particularly if you are quoting the source for the first time,
the information can be helpful. Suc introductions also make
for smoother flow than simply inserting quotations into the
text with no explannation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
ScottFr say, "hey thats what I always do"
MaggieCa says, "okay"
ScottFr say, "cool"
WendyFr says, "good deal"
ScottFr say, "or should I say usually do"
JoeSa says, "got it"
Mr.Cole says, "This point is more stylistic than a matter of pure argument. But the information you provide can also make the examples more convincing. "
Mr.Cole says, "some of you do this already, but it bears repeating."
JulieOw says, "OKEEDOKEE"
Mr.Cole says, "OK, then. Any questions/"
MaggieCa says, "none here"
JenniferCa says, "nope"
JoeSa says, "not I"
JulieOw says, "not here"
WendyFr says, "no sir"
ShannonMc says, "No sire. I got ya"
JulieOw laughs
KurtDa says, "no"
JenniferCa says, "now we should enjoy the beautiful outdoors"
JulieOw says, "AMEN"
MaggieCa says, "good call"
JoeSa says, "I hear that"
GeraldLa says, "i second that"
ScottFr say, "hush up"
WendyFr says, "great idea"
Mr.Cole says, "If not, you can break into groups. If you have gotten far enough to have a provisional thesis, test them out on each other. Otherwise, continue the kind of brainstorming I've been helping you with this week."
ShannonMc says, "true dat"
ShannonMc says, ":)"
JoeSa leaves for the One.
NickSm leaves for the Three.
WendyFr leaves for the Two.
ScottFr say, "I am already outside"
JoeSa has arrived.
ScottFr leaves for the One.
GeraldLa leaves for the One.
ShannonMc leaves for the One.
MaggieCa cries
JenniferCa leaves for the Two.
Mr.Cole says, "If you are vvery good and work hard, I'll let you go early today. Deal/"
KurtDa leaves for the Two.
MaggieCa leaves for the Three.
JoeSa leaves for the One.
JulieOw leaves for the Three.
FrankBl leaves for the Three.
FrankBl has arrived.
FrankBl leaves for the One.
Mr.Cole leaves for the Three.
EdwardLe has arrived.
FrankBl has arrived.
FrankBl leaves for the Three.
AndrewGo has arrived.
AndrewGo leaves for the Two.
KurtDa has arrived.
KurtDa leaves for the One.
KurtDa has arrived.
KurtDa leaves for the Two.
MaggieCa has arrived.
MaggieCa leaves for the Three.
MaggieCa has arrived.
Mr.Cole has arrived.
MaggieCa has disconnected.
JulieOw has arrived.
JulieOw has disconnected.
Mr.Cole says, "Even though y'all have been slacking, I'm letting you split so you can go write your drafts. Post 'em before class tomorrow. i will have the WB set up well before then."
KurtDa has arrived.
EdwardLe leaves for the One.
KurtDa has disconnected.
WendyFr has arrived.
WendyFr says, "bye everyone"
WendyFr has disconnected.
ScottFr has arrived.
End log: Thursday, February 26, 1998 4:13:40 pm Virtual Park
Hall time --